James Jones invests £7m in new I-joist line

James Jones & Sons Ltd has announced a new £7m I-joist line investment for its plant at Forres.

The sawmiller and engineered timber products manufacturer has placed an order with US-based Globe Machine Manufacturing Co to supply and install a new high-speed, automated I-Joist assembly line.

The new investment follows on from the £4.5m project to install the new finger-jointing line at the Forres site in 2015. Angus Macfarlane, general manager of James Jones & Sons’ Timber Systems Division, said the UK housing market was set for a sustained period of growth and it was important to meet the demands of the market.

“Continuity and certainty of supply are key factors for our customers and this new investment will give customers peace of mind that, from our manufacturing base in Scotland, we will be able to meet increased market demand in years to come,” he said.

“The new line will be one of the most advanced in the market place and will allow us to offer customers specification flexibility and product innovation.”

The new line is expected to become operational in Q4.

Tom Bruce-Jones, Joint MD of James Jones & Sons, said the group was investing £50m across its businesses during the next five years.